The suspect in a deadly double-shooting at a Westbank shipyard is dead after a shootout with Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies.
It all started earlier Monday when a man who had recently had his employment at FMT Shipyard on Peters Road in Harvey showed up at the business and shot and killed two of his former co-workers.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has identified the victims as Nakie James Brown, 48, and Dustin Parrie, Jr., 20, both of Harvey. The suspected gunman is identified as Willis Thomas, Jr., 31, of Harvey.
Within hours, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said deputies spotted a vehicle matching the description of one that left the crime scene. The sheriff says when deputies pulled it over, the found the Thomas's mother at the wheel, who said she had just dropped him off at the St. Germaine apartments in Harvey.
"We activated our SWAT team, to try to get the out here, but before our entire SWAT team got out here, we had numerous units on scene securing the perimeter," said Lopinto.
Lopinto said Thomas saw the activity and attempted to flee.
"When he saw units in the area, he ended up running from them," said Lopinto. "He actually picked up his firearm and started firing shots at our officers."
The sheriff said numerous officers returned fire, and the suspect died on the scene.
